Cobras Give Bahrain Extra Bite

Helicopters play a major role in the defence and security of Bahrain. Alan Warnes has been looking at the Royal Bahraini Air Force and the background to its capabilities.

Helicopters at the Core of Bahrain’s Defense

The Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) has built one of the largest AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter fleets in the world, a striking capability for such a small island nation. Today, its inventory includes 17 upgraded AH-1FB Cobras and 12 AH-1Z Vipers—locally known as “Zulus”—providing formidable close air support and maritime strike power.

Lessons from Hawar, 1986

The roots of Bahrain’s helicopter doctrine trace back to April 1986, when Qatar attempted to seize the Hawar Islands. At the time, RBAF Bell 212s flew daring night missions without radar, radios, or night vision equipment, delivering troops, ammunition, and medical supplies under extreme conditions. Over three nights, they completed 25 sorties, proving the value of rotary-wing assets in national defense.
Although the Hawar dispute was resolved in 2001, the episode convinced Bahrain’s leadership of the need for armed helicopters to deter future aggression—particularly given the enduring threat posed by Iran.

Building the Cobra Fleet

- 1994: Bahrain acquired 14 ex-US Army AH-1Es and six TAH-1Ps, forming No. 8 Squadron at Riffa Air Base.
- 1997: A follow-on order for 10 reconditioned AH-1Es was partly rejected due to poor condition.
- 2002: Delivery of 12 AH-1Fs equipped with infrared systems, mission computers, and wire-guided missile capability led to the creation of No. 9 Squadron.
Older AH-1Es have since been retired, with spare parts sustaining the AH-1F fleet.

Turkish Upgrades and the AH-1FB

In 2015, Bahrain contracted Turkish Aerospace to modernize 17 AH-1Fs. The upgrades included:
- ASELFLIR 300T EO/IR turret with advanced sensors and laser designators.
- Glass cockpit with multi-function displays.
- Roketsan Cirit 2.75-inch laser-guided missiles mounted on new launchers.
The prototype AH-1FB flew in Ankara in 2017, and by 2022, upgraded Cobras debuted publicly at the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS).

Enter the AH-1Z Viper
With Turkey’s T129 ATAK option abandoned due to political tensions, Bahrain turned to Bell’s AH-1Z Viper. In 2018, a $912 million contract was signed for 12 aircraft, forming No. 22 Squadron. Deliveries began in 2022 and concluded in early 2023.

The AH-1Z, designed for the US Marine Corps, offers:

- Marinization for resistance to salt, sand, and dust.
- Lockheed Martin Target Sight System for precision targeting.
- Versatility across missions including close air support, anti-armor, and maritime operations.
Although Bahrain’s Vipers currently lack AIM-9 Sidewinder integration and Link 16 datalink capability, they represent a leap in capability and interoperability with US forces.

Strategic Role

Together, the upgraded Cobras and new Vipers give Bahrain a powerful helicopter force tailored to its doctrine: countering overwhelming threats with agile, heavily armed gunships. As Major General Hamad al Khalifa stated at BIAS 2018, “The world’s most advanced attack helicopter will continue to secure the country.”

Source: XAirForces News, 11 April 2023

Photo: Royal Bahraini Air Force Bell AH-1FB Cobras (Photo by Alan Warnes)

Editor: Yasemin Edigel (©XAirForces News Editor from Jordan and Türkiye)

Keywords: Royal Bahraini Air Force, RBAF, Bahrain, AH-1 Cobra, AH-1FB, AH-1F, AH-1E, TAH-1P, AH-1Z Viper, Zulu, Bell 212, Bell Helicopter, attack helicopter, gunship, close air support, Hawar Islands, Hawar operation, Qatar, Iran, Gulf region, Riffa Air Base, No 8 Squadron, No 9 Squadron, No 22 Squadron, Turkish Aerospace, TAI, Ankara, Aselsan, ASELFLIR 300T, electro optical infrared, avionics upgrade, multi-function displays, Roketsan, Cirit missile, laser-guided missile, desert camouflage, Bell AH-1Z contract, $912 million, Bahrain International Air Show, BIAS, Major General Hamad al Khalifa, US Marine Corps, USMC, marinization, Lockheed Martin, Target Sight System, AIM-9 Sidewinder, Link 16 datalink, interoperability, Gulf security, anti-armor, anti-air, ocean operations, corrosion protection, salt spray, sand, dust, austere environment

Cobras Give Bahrain Extra Bite


(11.04.2023)